Scientists have found out why homemade strawberries are tastier than store-bought ones

Scientists from China Agricultural University experiment and found out why strawberries from your own garden or organic farms seem sweeter than store-bought ones. As it turned out, the taste of the berry is affected by fungicides - chemicals to combat fungal plant diseases, which are usually used only by commercial producers.

The researchers grew three groups of strawberry plants under the same conditions. Two of them were treated with fungicides, and the third, the control, was left without chemicals.

In all three groups, berries of the same size and color grew. Their taste was different. Processed fruits had less sucrose and nutrients, as well as esters and terpenes, which create the characteristic strawberry flavor.

Laboratory analysis of plants showed that the fungicide "had a direct effect on the regulation of genes, involved in cellular pathways associated with the production of sugars, volatile compounds, nutrients and amino acids." In other words, it made strawberries less sweet and flavorful.

The results of the study were confirmed during blind tasting tests. Most of the participants chose strawberries from the control group, that is, without treatment with fungicides.